Archive for the ‘Antiques’ Category

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Motivational Monday to bring you a post about inspiration.

As a designer, I need to regularly fill up my creative well and there is no better way than through travel. A change of surroundings not only gives me a different perspective, it gives me a chance to discover new ideas and inspiration for my designs, whether it’s through color, architecture, flavors, or awe-inspiring sights!

After back-to-back photo shoots and a non-stop work schedule, I need a break to recharge my creative batteries. And I am SO excited that tomorrow I’m heading to bella Italia to go to Mercanteinfiera, Italy’s largest antique fair! I’m attending this amazing show in Parma with The Antiques Diva for a special whirlwind tour, filled with gorgeous vintage finds.

And I’ll be on this fab trip with a few other talented designers that you may know–Los Angeles designer Mark Cutler, Dallas designer Denise McGaha, and Jon Call of Mr. Call Designs in New York City. If you would like to see what is inspiring me and my designer friends, be sure to follow my Instagram feed with @tobifairley!

I plan to soak in the colors, patterns, and stunning art on display (and I’m sure I’ll sample a bit of the pasta, parmesan, and prosciutto, too!). I know I’ll come back refreshed, renewed, and recharged – ready to take on new creative challenges!

To see these photos including this Parmesan factory, visit my Pinterest board called Destinations.

Hello Friends! I hope you are settling into this new year and you’re getting excited about what the next twelve months will bring to you.

One of the biggest things on my agenda for 2014 is the design of my new home. We moved in about 3 months ago but I was quite busy late last year and just didn’t have time to get in my design work room and decide what our new home’s design would entail. To be honest I haven’t even totally unpacked or hung anything on the walls.

So the fun starts now and the best part is I am going to bring you along the design process with me and even let you weigh in on some of my decisions. Fun, right?

So every Thursday starting today, I hope you will join me for my new series New House Diary. We’re going to talk home goals, floor plans, paint colors, furniture, kitchen design, closets and so much more. You name it, if it’s in my house we will cover it.

One of my favorite decisions I’ve made about this house is that I am going to take my own sweet time to get it just the way I want it. It’s going to be a process that involves blending old and new, reproductions and antiques, remodeling and repurposing and none of these decisions can happen overnight.

I plan to be more mindful than I have ever been before, filling my home with quality and craftsmanship. I’ll be inspired by some of my favorite things like these vintage grapes a gift from my best friend that remind me of my great-grandmother. Maybe they’ll just be my leaping off place for the whole shebang. What do you think?

I will blend existing pieces (like these familiar items from my last home) with new products and antiques for a unique mix that represents my family and me and the things most important to us. We will have a “NO FILLER” philosophy. Meaning if it is not something we truly love, it doesn’t get a home in this house. And I will be explaining my motivations for the design each step of the way. Like why that 70′s wood paneling just has to go.

So for today before I get busy planning what to do with all the things that don’t work in my new home (because although it will do for the moment, you can see my stuff just doesn’t work the same in this house), let me tell you my Tobi’s Top Ten things I DO love about my new digs. Here we go…

1. The lot—it is spacious (almost an acre) on a gorgeous corner with a large front yard and set on the golf course in the back. The land alone was worth buying the house.

2. The layout. My neighborhood (which is our neighborhood of choice) was developed in the 60’s and 70’s initially and most of the houses are traditional two story with 8 foot ceilings and the master suite upstairs. But not this one. We have a spacious Master suite on the main level and our Living Room and Sunroom both have 9 foot ceilings which is a bonus. With large spacious rooms, about 1000 extra feet than our last house, and great traffic flow, this house is perfect for the entertaining and social lifestyle my family and I love.

3. The pool—a 30 year old concrete beauty, my vision for it is reminiscent of some of my favorite old Hollywood hotels like the Beverly Hills Hotel. I can already see us sipping cocktails lying on chic black and white loungers, can’t you?

4. My daughter’s room. Basically a second master suite but upstairs, this room is the perfect place for my young lady to grow for many years. It’s spacious with an en suite bath and a sizable closet. What more could my little glamour girl ask for?

5. Can you say sleeping porch? Or at least it will be once I screen it in and spruce it up. I can‘t wait to spend many Spring and Fall days here relaxing, reading and napping with a view of the pool and the golf course.

6. My yoga and meditation room aka the second guest room. Yep, my new massage table is right at home in this space and I can’t wait to make it a serene retreat for keeping my mind and body healthy without leaving my house.

7. The oversized garage—what a convenience after squeezing into our last one for 7 years. My hubby and I have plenty of room for our cars plus lots of great additional storage. A real luxury.

8. And speaking of storage…how about not one but two walk-in attics. Yep, no more climbing a wobbly ladder carrying arm-fulls of stuff. It’s just opening a door and walking right in to my easy-to-organize dreamy attics these days. What a relief!

9. The gorgeous colonial exterior. Yes, I need to tweak the scale of the architectural details a bit, but that’s the easy part. The overall style is classic, beautiful and timeless.

10. And finally it may sound silly, but I LOVE my hot water spout at the kitchen sink. Not a convenience that I would have thought to include but when I make my daily cup of tea in less than a minute, it’s a real treat. Though the kitchen needs a major over-hall, this is one little feature that will make an appearance post renovation.

So there you have it. My favorite things about this new place we call home. Now it’s decision time. I’m off to start designing. Meet me back here next week for another edition of New House Diary and see what revelations I’ve had.

Oh and by the way, I may just find some FABULOUS antiques for my new abode next week in Atlanta during 1st Find at the Farm. Don’t know what that is?

Well maybe it’s because you’re still in full-on holiday mode, or maybe you’re already back in the swing of things and missed our announcement, but today I want to give you a little reminder that next week, on January 7th, you’re invited to join me at the Antique & Design Center’s very first Atlanta Antique show: 1st Find at the Farm. I will be speaking on how to work with antiques for interiors that look fresh and timeless, just like my new house. I’ll be speaking and then touring and then dining, and YOU can join me for the whole event! And you can see in person whether I find any antiques for my new home design. Or even help me pick some out.

Here’s how to get a MOOve on and join me at what is sure to be a glamorous, fabulous, and fun evening:

Interested and excited, but missed all of the details in my first announcement about the event? CLICK HERE.

Ready to help me look for finds for my new house? To buy your ticket for my talk plus a shopping tour and dinner with me, SIGN UP HERE.

If you’re an antique hound and a designer who’s ready to hit this new event just before Atlanta Market, learn more about 1st Find at the Farm and the amazing antique dealers who will be showing their goods. Just CLICK HERE.

Xo,

Oh, and I haven’t forgotten our resolutions and dreams. They are still on their way, so hang with me. We’re going to jumpstart this year over the coming days and weeks together. Thanks for allowing me a moment for a few dreams about my house.

So: You love great design. But. Have you really explored the wonderful world of antiques? Antiques are such an amazing way to add texture and depth to your designs.

Art & Antique Hunter

If you’ve been to the Antique & Design Center of High Point during your treks to High Point Market in the past few years, then you already know it is the number one place to go for forward-focused design, gorgeous antique furnishings and fabulous art.

Olivier Fleury

And, now, the Antique & Design Center is launching an exciting new event to kick off their debut at the Atlanta Market this January 7-8th! It’s called 1st Find at the Farm, and I am truly honored to be the featured presenter at such a highly-anticipated event!

If you love design–and you love antiques–but aren’t quite sure how to bring all that love together, please join me at 1st Find at the Farm on January 7th. That afternoon, I’m going to be speaking on a topic that I hope will really reinvigorate your designs and give you a fresh perspective on mixing pieces of different ages–and with different histories–in your work. My presentation is called “Finding Inspiration in the Mix: Layering Antiques Into Your Design for a Fresh Look.”

Following the lecture, you’ll also get a chance to walk through the show with me, and afterward we will get to rave about our favorite finds over a private dinner. This part of the show (my presentation, tour and dinner) is RSVP-only, so grab a ticket before it sells out!

And the setting for this show is going to be truly spectacular! Imagine: Many of the top antique dealers in the U.S. showcasing their most stunning pieces out on the rolling hills of the Broder Family farm, just minutes from downtown Atlanta. Talk about “Finding Inspiration in the Mix,” try this country/city combo to break you out of your rut! Good music + good food + gorgeous setting + great design = perfect combination!

The whole thing promises to be 100% AMAZING, and you definitely don’t want to miss it! To purchase your ticket in advance–and to get all of the event details–visit the event website.

I am SO happy today is self-care Saturday. I was supposed to be off on an antiquing adventure with one of my best clients. Talk about SELF-CARE for me! Immersing myself in gorgeous things all day long that are unique and full of character…AHHHH!

My client and I have been planning this for almost a month now and little things (family obligations, Life, the flu) keep getting in our way. So today is NOT the day it will be happening, but I feel confident it will happen soon and it is going to be fabulous! I’ll let you know so you can follow me on Instagram and Vine to see what antiques and treasures we find when we actually do get our buns in the flea markets. What fun, right?

But thinking of all those treasures we are going to discover got me thinking of this…

Lately many people have been asking me “Are you just interested in being a motivational speaker now, instead of a designer?” Ugh! Even my own grandmother asked this question.

I find it funny that people NEED us to be LABELED to be able to accept us. They can’t just see our gifts and treasures as a part of the many facets of our personalities. It becomes an either/or situation. Tobi is EITHER a motivational speaker OR a designer. Because in people’s minds, I couldn’t possibly have room in my heart to love both. And certainly I can’t bring them TOGETHER to influence and inspire others. I must CHOOSE.

Well I am here to tell you I am both! And I REFUSE to CHOOSE! I pride myself on being Undefinable! And maybe more accurately Design is what I DO and inspiring and motivating others is really deeper for me. It’s part of who I AM. They co-exist. They always will. They are not mutually exclusive. They are two peas in a pod. They are like bees and honey. They are like peanut butter and jelly. They are like Chanel and black and white!

Both design and spirituality (or motivation, or inspiration if you prefer) are treasures to me. They are gifts. But they don’t need to be labeled to be a part of me. They don’t define me. They just enhance me and fulfill me. They make me happy. And if I can use each of these gifts or TREASURES as a way to impact and influence other people in a positive and loving way, then I must. It is my duty. My obligation. My purpose.

So, today, on this Self-care Saturday…Love yourself in a way you have never done before. With no labels. No expectations. No Choosing. Be open. Embrace all your treasures and gifts even if others don’t understand it. Be authentically you. And love yourself more because of it.

There’s nothing like the holiday season to get you in the mood for a giveaway. So I’m excited to say that today we are ready to reveal the winner and our design solution for our current Designer Mailbag giveaway!

Here’s a bit of what Kimberley had to say about the design challenge she’s facing:

Tobi, Please help. We have a great home on Signal Mountain, TN. We have furnished the entire house except our Master Bedroom. The room has great bones but we are stumped on function and layout. The fireplace lends this room to a cozy retreat but as you can see, we are far from that. We would be so grateful for your help.

Kim’s predicament really spoke to me because–as you know by now–I’m in the midst of a self care revival, and your very own Master Bedroom should be your haven, your little cocoon of comfort in the world. So I guess Kim needs a functional, beautiful solution ASAP! Let’s get to work.

Kim’s “before” photos:

I think Kim’s right. This room has lots of potential, but it’s not very warm and inviting in its current state. Now, have a look at what I have envisioned for the fireplace area of the room, since she thought it could be cozied-up:

What did I do?

First, the TV in the corner wasn’t doing it for me, so I propose that the mantel be lowered to accommodate a flat-screen television for optimal bed viewing.

I thought a change of wall color was in order, so we took it from the deep sage (almost olive, really) tone to a serene blue. This color is by Sherwin Williams and is called Watery (SW 6478). For the trim color, I chose Creamy (SW 7012).

I added striped drapes to make the room have a more complete look and to fill the room with the texture and color offered by this F. Schumacher striped fabric (Malibu Stripe). The upholstered chairs draw in a complimentary fabric with a more medium-scale pattern (you know how I LOVE geometrics!).

The tall chest of drawers has been swapped with a lower, longer one, to maximize the use of the space and offer an opportunity to showcase a lovely piece of original artwork. This cabinet is from Burke Decor and the artwork is from Horchow.

I flanked the fireplace with sketch prints from Soicher Marin and added an imitation flower arrangment from NDI and, of course, some pretty books as acessories.

To provide a dynamic and multi-use element that would work with all of the deep-toned wood already present in the room, we chose these lovely nesting tables from Morris Antiques.

A BIG thank you to our giveaway sponsor, Morris Antiques! They are a fantastic resource for everything from 19th century antiques to contemporary vintage pieces. French, English, Chippendale, Victorian, or just plain retro — they have it all and I’m sure they will have just the piece to update your room! Visit them at their website and, if you love to get antique inspiration in your news feed, go “like” them on Facebook!

I hope this inspires you to see your own master bedroom with fresh eyes! The most important part of decorating your own home is making it a place you–and those closest to you–love to be!

Xo,

p. s. If you have an eye for design, why not go enter the 2013 Color Trend Design Contest on Olioboard, a dynamic mood board and room design site that also allows you to connect with other design lovers and see what they’re working on and what products they’re loving right now! The winners of the contest will win a FREE ticket to one of my Camp Tobi Fairley signature events and Benjamin Moore Paint Prize Packs! So, what’s not to love? Good luck!

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